tetleys

I doubt there'd be a 'driver Shakespeare' Gilbert highlighted the fact I can't even count beyond 8! I might manage on the end of a shovel though and knowing Gilbert and my leaning towards bacon butties during our meetings that shovel and a hot firebox might just come in handy.

Jeff PI've heard of the bible being printed on a grain of rice or was it just The Lord's payer? I'm sure you could model football players but I recommend you base them on those from Gilbert's 1958 period, they had to have another job in those days and I bet some were on the railways. If you insist on the current Premier players I for one will be fascinated how you are going to cover each player's arm from finger tip to shoulder with tattoos? There's Only One Rooney!

Privaledged as I am of seeing Peterborough North in the flesh so to speak I can defend Gilbert a little (but not too much!) Apart from all those lovely shiney named trains he does have an eclectic mix of less glamorous coaching stock and I like to watch the arrival of a local hauled by some equally less glamorous loco. However, he is guilty as charged of perhaps favouring big green engines with some funny names pulling 7 or 8 coaches, I cannot imagine why, I'm sure when Gilbert discovers the secret of levitation or otherwise manages to find storage for another dozen trains there will be some interesting goods consists. With Gilbert's agreement I for one would appreciate Andyrush's input on goods traffic.

LNER 4479 I've just returned to your post and am amazed and enlightened by your surgery on Peco points, that could help me with a couple of tight corners on the non scenic areas of my new layout, fortunately I salvage virtually all of my Peco points from Tetleys Mills and since they are virtually worthless second hand it will be worth my while experimenting, I'm hoping to find the funds to have my scenic point work professionally made but your solution certainly adds interest. As for the visiting stock, I can appreciate the reticence of the owner to apply weathering to what are probably very expensive models which is one reason why I prefer RTR, my own opinion is that every loco and coach gathered some muck even if only along the boiler top but my opinion counts for nothing anyway. As an aside but on that subject, I recall a good few years ago when I avidly read everything I could on railways and especially The Premier Line THE LNER I read that the streamliners, Coronation, West Riding etc coaching stock was washed and polished overnight, that at a time when the companie's staff were lucky to have a bath once a week! Keep up the good work, most enjoyable and if you can get some therapy maybe Carlisle could yet be converted to York! The Ancaster Infidel.

Gilbert, The Thompson A2's are God ugly and when converted and weathered by Tim to represent an attack by colour blind graffiti yobs they look even uglier and dis-reputable. When my new layout is finished I'd just love to purchase a similar 'heap' from Tim, the most photogenic loco you have by a country mile and a credit to Tim's craftsmanship, until I saw your weatherd example I would never have considered a Thompson Pacific. Now we just need some accurate RTR LNER corridor coaches to hang on the back, come on Heljan or might Hornby just come up with some Thompsons when their non corridor versions sell in spades as they surely will?

Gilbert, The 2mm buildings work to perfection. Dave S.

JeffP ref your post #2878. I felt obliged to make the dangerous journey into Nottinghamshire to check out the forecourt at Peterborough North and I am able to confirm that the two Fords are in fact 6 cylinders so I think Zephyrs although maybe Zodiacs but certainly Gilbert would not entertain 'Budget' Consuls. While I was there I thought I might as well spend five minutes train spotting and checking out the underside of the baseboards to see how DCC is wired up, it was OK getting underneath but a bit more of a struggle getting back on two feet. I think it's high time he employed a fit young Swedish au-pair (preferably one that's into ballasting) to help ageing modellers.

Kids don't try this at home, if you live in Moscow or are attending their football World Cup. Britain's finest And he told me how to take a picture with my new fangled iphone at the Theatre of Dreams

Thanks for the insight into your future plans and good luck with your eventual journey from the ECML to 'The Dark Side'. Only kidding but you'll need a lot of help operating Carlisle. Dave S

Gilbert, Jeff P's trainspotting needs are the very least of your worries. That A4 is going nowhere until somebody gets a couple of lamps on it and you could be removed from a certain friend's Christmas card list! Concerned of Ancaster

Gordon, I don't want to set you off on yet another re-vamp but I trust all that free space down the middle of the room will receive some baseboards and is that cage I spotted to hold the seriously strong real ale? Dave

I stand corrected but one of the photos did look like a ski lift that is between Alston and Middleton but if I'd checked out the road it is twice as wide as the one I cycled over. I suspect 61070 may have the correct answers, well done. I think you could be tempted to fill a bit more available space now that it has become available although only you can decide that. Good luck and I'll follow with interest. Dave

LNER4479, Was your route passing the Darlington to Tebay rail route, do I spot the M6 and is that the ski lift on the road from Middleton in Teesdale across to Alston? I think I cycled part of this route a few years ago, if I'm wrong it wouldn't be the first time but if, on the other hand I am correct I shall forward my address for delivery of the 'mega prize'. Naive of Ancaster PS Glad to see you supervisiong while the female team members did the heavy work, true leadership qualities always rise to the surface.

Don't mention it, it was a real pleasure to check 'yet another ECML' layout and it certainly won't slow up my modelling, I check out RMWeb during down time in the evenings, being Friday I made the 'ultimate sacrifice'. I relenquished the remote control to Julie for Gardener's World! I then got so engrossed in your Grantham layout I neglected to retrieve the remote, now she thinks a precedent has been set! (Thankfully she's got no interest in Soaps or reallity, phew). Good luck with the layout move but I don't envy your heating bill. Dave

LNER4479 I've just spent a couple of hours browsing your Grantham layout and I congratulate you, living just round the corner in Ancaster I have some empathy with the station. I also admire you new railway room and commend you on your choice of wife. 'railway friendly AND a grafter' such an asset is to be cherished. Good luck for the future and I shall follow with interest. Dave S.

Gordon, I'm pleased to see you are back on track with the layout (no pun intended). I've been a bit too busy to log on to E.T. for a while but it appears your council dustmen have been busy removing discarded baseboards and it's no wonder the world copper price is sky high with the amount of copper clad sleepers you've used. Since we both have rooms above garages for modelling I'm curious what height you have available for your own boards before the ceiling slopes inwards? I'm very near to starting my own track laying but since Gilbert convinced me to go DCC I'm now taking notes of such comments as your "300 wires for a board 4 x 2!" Concerned of Ancaster.

Gilbert, Reading about your kit building turorial reminds me about TW's hilarious after dinner speech at his 60th bash when Julie and I were in tears as he recounted his days as a teacher, especially 'Fatty Clayton' mooning through the window, it's no wonder he took up journalism. After teaching adolescents it must be a doddle imparting his wisdom to a willing recipient and give it a couple of weeks and I can bring all my unfinished kits over for the 'expert' to finish. Optimistic of Ancaster

Gilbert, I've sneeked off the building site while Mrs. S. attacks some garden pest in her office / greenhouse so I've only got a minute before she notices the absence of hammering and sawing. Worked my through the overall roof and I'll echo what everybody else says and yes, it is stunning and a credit to Peter and yourself for having the vision (Didn't need to go to Spec- savers you got it right). I've noticed the phrase 'cheque book modelling' raised and if we manage to sell the old house sooner rather than later I'll be using mine for some professional help on those layout building areas I'm not so good at or don't fancy doing. I've just employed some plasterers to render the side of the old house and plaster two walls of the TV room I could and have undertaken both jobs in the past but I got a quicker and better job done by the professionals while I spent the time doing something I am good at. I can see I need to take an afternoon for some R & R (Railways and ranting) over at Peterborough North to see it first hand. Woops, I can hear the bloodhound barking so I must get back on the site so I'll check out the last few pages later. Impressed of Ancaster

Gilbert, I've just opened my latest copy of Model Rail in which I note Peterborough North features but if I may voice one small criticism of the article. As usual, Chris Nevard has worked wonders with his Brownie 127 camera.On page 62 he has really captured the atmosphere and craftmanship involved in those simply stunning bookcases but couldn't he have photoshopped out all those long dormitory dining tables and the old kitchen wench eagerly awaiting customers at the serving hatch? (Apart from this minor over sight another interesting read) Keep up the good work. Dave

Conspiracy theory. I don't have Sky Sport so only saw highlights of Chelsea and Barca but although I love watching football I'm not an expert by any means and I'm a bit confused. Problem. You're hanging on to a 1-0 lead away to arguably the best team in Europe and certainly highly dangerous when attacking. You desperately need to defend to a man like Rookes Drift re-visited. You know any foul in the penalty box will invoke a penalty with 99.9% certainty of going 1-0 down. You know any deliberate foul will probably earn a red card. A red card guarantees you miss the next 3 games. The next game is a possible Champions league final if your ten team mates can beat a rampant Barca. SO WHY WOULD A DEFENDER DELIBERATELY KNEE AN APPONENT BEFORE THE BALL IS IN FREE PLAY in full view of the ref and 5th official? Confused of Ancaster.

As a United fan from pre-Munich days I'm obviously biased as are most football fans but when the name Drogba is mentioned what is the first thought that enters a non Chelsea fan's head. 'Cheat'. Don't get me wrong he's merely made an art form from what has become the norm for footballers of all levels including those playing for United. I find it a little sad that with such obvious talent Drogba has to resort to such blatent dives. Schumacher of Formula one fame is probably the best driver since Jim Clark of the 1960's but to most Brits he will always be remembered for cheating his way to a championship by deliberatly ramming Damon Hill to prevent him overhauling his points total. I love watching premier football but the game is spoilt by diving, shirt pulling,deliberate elbowing and generally over reacting with the intention of getting a fellow player booked or sent off. Players all sport 'six packs' and are built like 'brick privies'but give the impression of being whimps. Take time to watch pro. cycling and watch the unfortunate crashes and remember these guys are hitting the road (not a grass field) or going through a barbed wire fence at upto 40 mph. They get back on their bikes (or a replacement if the original is smashed) and finish the day's stage sometimes receiving stitches as they ride, the next day sees them having retired "because they were found to have a broken collar bone/ fractured ribs/ punctured lung. And physically they look like a bit dropped off a muscular footballer. I just wish that refs had the courage or support from The FA to take positive action against cheats.

Gilbert, I've been considering your latest dilema concerning lighting and those intrusive book shelves and have worked out a solution. During my next visit we'll survey your loft, I think without windows and vertical walls (no book cases) it could be the ideal location for Peterborough North. Your opinion please. (On a self addressed envelope) Dave

I can certainly confirm 'Debs' advice, I used a truck load of kingspan to insulate our self build which has a dormer style roof so needed a lot of cutting and fine fitting and there were times when I couldn't breath and almost physically sick plus had streaming eyes despite wearing a mask. I've previously used it for landscapes but wouldn't recommend it. Having said that I wouldn't use polystyrene if I was paid! You've more chance of getting off a 'Readers Digest' mailing list than getting rid of risidual polystyrene dust. I'll probably use chicken wire again for Tetleys mills 3. Breathless of Ancaster.

I think it was rather hoped that the Americanisms might lead to export sales but like most great British engineering achievements of the 1940's 50's and 60's our foreign competitors just ripped us off and made a packet from British invention whilst we maintained the British stiff upper lip. Just look what 'Johny Foreigner' has done with 'our' game of football, not to mention cricket!